Personal exercise system and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A personal exercise system including an exercise bar having opposing end portions, a grip portion intermediate to the end portions wherein the grip portion is w-shaped, and an elongate resistance band removably secured to at least one of the end portions. Each end portion of the exercise bar includes a loop for accepting a fastener at the end of the elongate resistance band. The loop is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar. The system further includes at least one support member each having a groove for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/877,843, filed Oct. 7, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/061,078, filed Oct. 7, 2014, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to exercise systems in general, and more particularly, to a personal exercise system.

BACKGROUND

Personal exercise systems are commonly used in lieu of formal gym memberships for individuals who seek alternative means of maintaining fitness. These systems are typically utilized as in-home systems, where users may exercise without suffering the inefficiencies associated with sharing a limited number of exercise “stations” with others at a gym. Moreover, these systems often permit quick, efficient workouts to be completed within a relatively short time span—accommodating for users with busy lifestyles who nonetheless desire to remain physically fit. These systems are also commonly used in a group setting as part alternative fitness groups such as during Crossfit™ training.

These systems typically include pushup bars and accessories and elastic cord based systems. An example of a pushup based system is the Perfect Pushup®, which includes a pair of rotating handlebars resting on the floor at a distance from each other so as to enable a user to perform a pushup while gripping the handlebars. An example of an elastic cord type system is the TRX Rip Trainer™, which includes an elastic cord irremovably connected at one end to the tip of a straight stick and secured at the other end to an immovable object, such that the elastic cord provides resistance to a user swinging the stick much like a baseball bat.

One of the failings of these systems is that they are all limited to a small number of exercises a user is able to perform. Thus, although they provide an alternative to going to the gym—or purchasing an expensive all-in-one home gym system—a user is unable to take advantage of the full range of exercises that would be available at the gym without purchasing multiple different personal exercise systems. Additionally, these systems (as well as gym stations) do not permit users the ability to transition quickly from one exercise to another.

It is therefore desirable to provide an effective, efficient, low-cost, space saving personal exercise system and apparatus that provides advantages heretofore unknown in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are embodiments of a personal exercise system comprising an exercise bar having opposing end portions, a grip portion intermediate to the end portions wherein the grip portion is w-shaped, and an elongate resistance band removably secured to at least one of the end portions. Each end portion of the exercise bar includes a loop for accepting a fastener at the end of the elongate resistance band. The loop is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar.

In some embodiments, the personal exercise system further includes at least one supplemental exercise bar having end portions, wherein the supplemental exercise bar is removably attached to the exercise bar at their respective end portions. In at least one embodiment, the supplemental exercise bar is straight.

In some embodiments, a personal exercise system comprises an exercise bar having opposing end portions, each end portion including a loop for accepting a fastener at the end of a removably elongate resistance band, a grip portion intermediate to the end portions wherein the grip portion is w-shaped, at least one support member each having a groove for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar, and wherein the loop at each end portion is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention. In such drawing(s):

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a personal exercise system and apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded schematic view of a personal exercise system and apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded schematic view of an exemplary end portion of an exercise bar according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an exemplary support member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates another exploded schematic view of an exemplary end portion of an exercise bar according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates top views of exemplary support members according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 7-8 illustrates an exemplary grip sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9-10 illustrate exemplary mounting pads according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate exemplary personal exercise systems and apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate exemplary operations of a personal exercise system and apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The below described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated. All features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment unless otherwise stated. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it should be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the present invention and its method of use.

In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” or “includes” means “including, but not limited to,” or “includes, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.

As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

FIGS. 1-17 illustrate the exercise system and apparatus according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an example embodiment of a personal exercise system 10 comprises an exercise bar 100 having opposing end portions 120 a and 120 b (collectively referred to as end portion(s) 120) and a grip portion 140, an elongate resistance tube, band or cord 200, removably secured to the end portions of the exercise bar, and a plurality of support members 300 for resting on a surface and receiving the end portions 120 of the exercise bar 100 so as to support the exercise bar 100 in a displaced attitude with respect to the exercise bar.

In at least some exemplary modes of operation, the exercise bar 100 may be supported by the support members 300 so as to be displaced from the floor, permitting a user to utilize the bar as a pushup bar or the like, as shown, for example, in FIG. 13. In at least some other exemplary modes of operation, the exercise bar 100 may be used independent of the resistance cord 200 and/or support members 300, permitting a user to use the exercise bar 100 to maintain body positioning during certain exercises, as shown, for example, in FIG. 14. In at least some still other exemplary modes of operation, such as shown, for example in FIGS. 15-17, the exercise bar 100 may be used in combination with the resistance band 200 so as to provide resistance-based exercises. In such embodiments, the resistance band 200 is typically secured to the body of the user (as shown in FIGS. 15-16 as secured by the user's feet), or to an external anchor point, such as a door or wall anchor (as shown in FIG. 17 as secured to a door via a jam (not shown)). While exemplary exercises and modes of operation are shown and described herein, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that additional exercises and modes of operation can be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exercise bar 100 is preferably w-shaped, so as to provide multiple handholds for the user, and generally defines a longitudinal axis B thereof. Accordingly, the grip portion 140 of the exercise bar 100 preferably includes a plurality of relative peaks and valleys, intermediate to the end portions 120 and providing the user with numerous options for hand placement depending on user comfort and/or desired muscles to be exercised (e.g. wide-grip vs. narrow-grip exercises). In some embodiments, the exercise bar 100 may be approximately 30 inches in length, but may be of any length that permits the user to perform comfortable, standing exercises. As shown in FIG. 11, other exemplary lengths are 36 inches and 24 inches. In some embodiments. It may be bent and/or rolled at predetermined distances along the longitudinal axis to create the aforementioned peaks and/or valleys that for the w-shape.

As shown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the grip portion 140 of the exercise bar 100 may further include a grip sleeve 142 at least partially enclosing the exercise bar 100 at the grip portion 140. The grip sleeve 142 is preferably of one-piece construction—although multiple grip sleeves are contemplated. In at least one embodiment, the grip sleeve 142 is slidable onto the bar similar to the way a bicycle handlebar grip is slidable onto the handlebar—and frictionally and/or adhesively being secured thereto after placement.

As discussed herein, the resistance band 200 is removably securable to the end portions 120 of the exercise bar 100. Accordingly, as shown in an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, the resistance band 200 includes opposing ends affixed to respective fasteners 220—preferably carabiners—for removably securing one or more of the opposing ends of the resistance band 200 to one or more of the end portions 120 of the exercise bar 100.

As also shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, each end portion 120 of the exercise bar 100 preferably includes an eye or loop 122 for accepting the fastener of the elastic or resistance band 200. Preferably, the loop 122 is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar 100 such that it provides the user with increased ease of operation. Accordingly, the loop 122 may include a swivel pin portion 128, and the end portion 120 of the exercise bar may 100 include a receptacle 124 for pivotally accepting the swivel pin portion 128. In some embodiments, the swivel pin 128 and loop 122 may be monolithically formed, while in others, they may secured together via welding, thread and guide, or other similar means.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, in order to secure the swivel pin 128 to the end portion 120, the swivel pin 128 may be inserted into a cylindrical gasket 126 that may be received by the end portion receptacle. Preferably, the relative sizing of the gasket 126 and the swivel pin 128 permits the swivel pin 128 to freely rotate within the gasket 126—thus permitting the loop 122 to pivot about the longitudinal axis. The gasket 126 may be secured into place within the receptacle via friction or mechanical means. Preferably, the gasket is rotatable within the end portion receptacle and is held in place via a pin 127 extending through the surface of the end portion 120 and mating with a groove 123 circumscribing the gasket 126, as shown for example in FIG. 3. The swivel pin 128 may also include one or more stops 125 located at a distal end for preventing the swivel pin 128 from separating from, or sliding out of, the gasket 126. In at least one embodiment, an o-ring 129 may be interposed between the gasket 126 and the swivel pin 128 to prevent movement.

Returning to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in at least one embodiment, the system includes one or more resistance bands or cords 200. Each resistance band 200 may be of different lengths to accommodate users of different heights and/or to facilitate use in connection with different exercises. Moreover, each resistance band 200 preferably provides a unique resistance to accommodate users of different strengths and/or to facilitate use in connection with different exercises. The different lengths and or resistances may be indicated on the resistance bands 200—preferably in the form of a specific color for each type. In at least some embodiments, the resistance band 200 further includes one or more markings indicating where on the resistance band 200 the user may secure the band 200 (e.g. via stepping on it) to provide a desired resistance.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the support members 300 generally include a body 320 having a plurality of sides 322 and a groove 324 for accepting the end portions 120 of the exercise bar 100. In these embodiments, the support member body is preferably polygonal in cross-sectional shape, with one of the sides forming a base 326 for resting on a surface. The groove 324 is preferably formed opposite the base 326 and is shaped so as to accept the end portions 120 of the exercise bar 100.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the end portion 120 of the exercise bar 100 may further include a mounting pad 130 for resting within the groove 324 and supporting the exercise bar 100 thereon. The mounting pad 130 may be formed from the grip sleeve 142, or independent of it. Preferably, the mounting pad 130 is shaped so as to mate with the groove 324, and vice versa, thereby minimizing movement between the two when in operation. Accordingly, the groove 324 may be curved or may be angular, or any other shape, and likewise the mounting pad 130 may be curved or may be angular, or any other shape. In at least some embodiments, the mounting pad 130 and the groove 324 further include surface ribs or friction 133/323 enhancers to further secure the exercise bar 100 on the supporting members 300.

Returning to FIG. 2, in at least one embodiment, the system further includes a supplemental exercise bar 400. Preferably, the supplemental exercise bar 400 includes one or more of the previously described features of the exercise bar 100, including the ability to be used in connection with the resistance cord 200 and supporting members 300, in similar fashion. In at least one embodiment, the supplemental exercise bar 400 is straight—i.e. it is not w-shaped.

As shown in FIG. 2, in at least one embodiment, the supplemental exercise bar 400 may be removably attached to the exercise bar 100 at their respective end portions 120. Such attachment may be via mechanical means known in the art, such as, for example, a thread and guide. In exemplary operations, the supplemental exercise bar 400 may permit the user to perform additional exercises, such as, for example, wood-chopper exercises. Accordingly, one end of the resistance cord 200 may be secured to an immovable object such as a wall (or used with a door jam, as is known in the art), and the exercise bar 100 (with or without the supplemental exercise bar 400) may be swung by the user, the secured resistance band 200 providing resistance to the swinging motion. Additionally, one or more supplemental exercise bars 400 (or primary exercise bars 100) may be added together give a user the option of a wider grip when performing exercises.

As shown in FIG. 12, in some embodiments, one or more of the exercise bar 100, the supporting members 300 and the resistance cord 200 may be removably affixed to each other.

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate exemplary operations of the personal exercise system 10 and apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.

The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

Changes from the described subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims, if any, and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal exercise system comprising: an exercise bar having opposing end portions; a grip portion intermediate to the end portions wherein the grip portion is w-shaped; and an elongate resistance band removably secured to at least one of the end portions.
 2. The personal exercise system of claim 1, wherein each end portion includes a loop for accepting a fastener at the end of the elongate resistance band.
 3. The personal exercise system of claim 2, wherein the loop is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar.
 4. The personal exercise system of claim 2, wherein the loop includes a swivel pin portion and wherein the end portions of the exercise bar further includes a receptacle for pivotally accepting the swivel pin portion.
 5. The personal exercise system of claim 4, wherein the receptacle further receives a cylindrical gasket within which the swivel pin portion freely rotates.
 6. The personal exercise system of claim 5, wherein the cylindrical gasket is rotatable within the receptacle.
 7. The personal exercise system of claim 5, wherein the cylindrical gasket further includes a groove circumscribing the cylindrical gasket, and the cylindrical gasket is rotatably held in place via a pin extending through the surface of the receptacle mating with the groove.
 8. The personal exercise system of claim 5, wherein the swivel pin portion includes one or more stop element.
 9. The personal exercise system of claim 5, wherein an o-ring is interposed between the cylindrical gasket and the swivel pin portion.
 10. The personal exercise system of claim 1, wherein the exercise bar is supported by at least one support member each having a groove for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar.
 11. The personal exercise system of claim 10, wherein the support member is polygonal in cross-sectional shape, with one of the sides forming a base for resting on a surface, and the groove is formed opposite the base.
 12. The personal exercise system of claim 10, wherein the end portions of the exercise bar each further includes a mounting pad for mating with the groove of a support member.
 13. The personal exercise system of claim 1 further includes at least one supplemental exercise bar having end portions, wherein the at least one supplemental exercise bar is removably attached to the exercise bar at their respective end portions.
 14. The personal exercise system of claim 13, wherein the supplemental exercise bar is straight.
 15. The personal exercise system of claim 1, wherein the grip portion of the exercise bar further includes a grip sleeve.
 16. The personal exercise system of claim 1, wherein the exercise bar is constructed of a thin walled steel tube.
 17. The personal exercise system of claim 1, wherein the exercise bar is approximately 24, 30 or 36 inches in length.
 18. A personal exercise system comprising: an exercise bar having opposing end portions, each end portion including a loop for accepting a fastener at the end of a removably elongate resistance band; a grip portion intermediate to the end portions wherein the grip portion is w-shaped; at least one support member each having a groove for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar; and wherein the loop at each end portion is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar.
 19. The personal exercise system of claim 18, wherein the at least one support member is polygonal in cross-sectional shape, with one of the sides forming a base for resting on a surface, and a groove is formed opposite the base for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar.
 20. The personal exercise system of claim 18 further includes at least one supplemental exercise bar having end portions, wherein the at least one supplemental exercise bar is removably attached to the exercise bar at their respective end portions. 